That .44 looks like a pretty stout load, but they are not close to a .454. My heavy .454 load is a 340 gr LBT LFN cast bullet at 1570 fps.

charlie echo

December 20, 2010, 01:59 AM

That .44 looks like a pretty stout load, but they are not close to a .454. My heavy .454 load is a 340 gr LBT LFN cast bullet at 1570 fps.
Yes, but if you had owned only a 44mag revolver, would you sell it to buy a 454, while traveling in rural Alaksa?

Leadhead

December 20, 2010, 03:20 AM

I Wouldn't.
If I wanted more power then a heavy .44Mag revolver I'd carry a rifle
I guess I should ask if you are hunting bear or just talking self defense?

CraigC

December 20, 2010, 04:13 AM

If you believe that you will get all the penetration a cast bullet can give you (within handgun speeds) at 1200fps, then I would say they are comparable. If I were going to upgrade from the .44Mag, I would skip the .45's and go straight to a .475 or .500. In standard length sixgun cartridges (~1.4"), the .475 tends to be the better penetrator.